Who We Are
Martha o'Grady
Martha O’Grady became a Forest Guide to share her passion for the great outdoors. As Thich Nhat Hanh says: “Cherishing our precious Earth – falling in love with the Earth – is not an obligation. It is a matter of personal and collective happiness and survival.” As a member of the Plum Village Order of Interbeing, Martha has a long-standing mindfulness practice which heightens her sense of gratitude for the land and all who traverse it. When not out exploring State or National Parks, Martha writes and produces videos through Panta Rhei Media. She completed a Masters in Communication Studies at Northern Illinois University and a BA at Seton Hill University.
Current reading list:
- The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
- Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Turtle Island by Gary Snyder
- The New Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America by Merritt Fernald, Alfred Kinsey & Steve Chadde
Favorite local hikes:
- Bear Run Nature Reserve
- Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
- McConnell’s Mills State Park
- Frick Park
- The Great Allegheny Passage
Charlie Yuill
Charlie Yuill’s pathway to becoming a certified forest guide began with his youth as part of a family that was often in the wilds on travels. His educational background includes geology, landscape architecture, and environmental planning and design. As a faculty member of the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at West Virginia University, Charlie’s work has focused on education and tending to aspects of the natural world. His current professional activities focus primarily on the landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains.
Favorite local Woodland Places:
- Coopers Rock State Forest
- The West Virginia Botanic Garden
- Bear Run Nature Reserve
- Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area
- Ohiopyle